Workers compensation insurance will cover all medical expenses and pay your wages in the event you are injured while at work. The system is “no-fault,” meaning that you will receive benefits regardless of who may be at fault. The system is designed to prevent lawsuits against employers.
Many employees that are injured on the job assume that there is no need to hire a Chicago workers comp attorney. After all, there is an established system designed to protect employees in the event of any work-related condition, including accidents.
Although workers comp does work in the majority of cases, there are situations where there is a lack of clarity as to when and where the injury was sustained and what caused it. There are many situations where a seasoned workers comp attorney can protect your rights to full damages and fight for these rights in the event you are denied your rightful compensation.
Why hire a workers comp attorney?
If your injury is minor and it is not expected that you will lose more than a day or two of work, you can be almost assured your claim will be approved. There are times, however when the situation is not clear, and you may need the guidance of a Chicago workers comp attorney.
- Pre-existing condition: if you have a pre-existing health issue, the insurer, as a reason to deny your claim, may use it. The insurance company can point to your condition as the basis for your current condition.
- Deny the injury happened at work: If your employer states that your injury is not related to your work or occurred outside the workplace, you should immediately hire a worker’s comp attorney.
- Third-party claim: If your injury was caused by a faulty piece of equipment, you might have a claim against the equipment manufacturer. In this case, the result may be a larger settlement, as you can sue for both economic and noneconomic damages in civil court.
These are just three of the many reasons why you might wish to discuss your claim with a knowledgeable Chicago workers comp attorney.
If you were injured at work and are having difficulty settling your claim, you might want to hire a Chicago workers comp attorney to represent your interests. For further information, contact the Shea Law Group. Like us on our facebook page.
